A special welcome to all our visitors. If you are a visitor, please fill out a visitor’s card found in the pew rack and place it in the offering plate. Activity bags for children to enjoy during worship are on the rack in the narthex.
PRESERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God, whose steadfast love endures forever.
C: Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Merciful God,
C: we confess that we have not followed your path but have chosen our own way. Instead of putting others before ourselves, we long to take the best seats at the table. When met by those in need, we have too often passed by on the other side. Set us again on the path of life.
Save us from ourselves and free us to love our neighbors. Amen.
P: Hear the good news! God does not deal with us according to our sins
but delights in granting pardon and mercy. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. You are free to love as God loves.
C: Amen.
GATHERING HYMN: 520 Dearest Jesus, At Your Word
GREETING
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (Read in unison)
Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ, and you make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our lives, make us attentive to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
READINGS
Genesis 18:1-10a
1The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” 7Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” 10aThen one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.”
Psalm 15 (read responsively)
1Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? Who may abide upon your holy hill? 2Those who lead a blameless life and do what is right, who speak the truth from their heart; 3they do not slander with the tongue, they do no evil to their friends; they do not cast discredit upon a neighbor. 4In their sight the wicked are rejected, but they honor those who fear the Lord. They have sworn upon their health and do not take back their word. 5They do not give their money in hope of gain, nor do they take bribes against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be overthrown.
Colossians 1:15-28
15[Christ Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. 21And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him—23provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. 24I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. 25I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Holy Gospel: Luke 10:3-42
P: The Holy Gospel according to Luke.
C: Glory to you O Lord.
38Now as [Jesus and his disciples] went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY: 652 Built on a Rock
STATEMENT OF FAITH: THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead; on the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
P: Merciful God,
C: receive our prayer.
PEACE
Please share a sign of peace with those around in whatever way you are most comfortable.
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
OFFERING
We join Christians all over the world in worshipping God through our giving of financial resources. For members and friends, the mission and ministry of this congregation is completely dependent upon your generous giving. Our offering is a significant act of worship, and we now worship God through our giving. If you have brought your offering with you today, please place it in the basket in the back as you leave. You may send your giving to the church office or give through the link on our website. Thank you for supporting our ministry.
HOLY COMMUNION
P: All who hunger and thirst, come. The table is ready.
C: We are here because Jesus Christ has died; Jesus Christ has risen; and Jesus Christ will come again.
P: The risen Christ is present in bread and wine.
C: We are the body of Christ who wish to celebrate his resurrection presence among us. Holy God, we thank you for your perfect plan to save all humankind from death and sin. We praise you for the saving action of Jesus Christ and his gift of forgiveness.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION (In the night in which he was betrayed . . . )
P: Come, Holy Spirit, and gather us together as your forgiven people who feast together in resurrection celebration of the One who has come among us and the One who will come again.
C: Amen!
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
P: In Christ’s presence there is fullness of joy. Come to the banquet.
COMMUNION HYMNS: 492 Eat This Bread, 770 Give Me Jesus
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
P Life-giving God, through this meal you have bandaged our wounds and fed us with your mercy. Now send us forth to live for others, both friend and stranger, that all may come to know your love. This we pray in the name of Jesus.
C: Amen.
P: The God of peace, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you, comfort you, and show you the path of life this day and always.
C: Amen.
SENDING HYMN: 538 The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve
BENEDICTION
P: Go in peace. Love your neighbor.
C: Thanks be to God.
The flowers at Grace are in honor of Hunter Clark’s 19th birthday and are given by his Mom and Dad..
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH. Thursday: 1 pm Regular Food Pantry Distribution at Grace; Friday and Saturday Garage Sale; Sunday, July 24: 8:30 am Communion Worship at Fountain; 10:15 am Communion Worship at Grace
WE PRAY FOR: Andy Helmann, Lola Frye, Holly and Harry Hinzpeter, Calvin Nelson, Kandy Hagen, Mariam Burdick, Kathy Haske, Suzanne Soltvedt, Lola St. Clair, John Thompson, Clarence Johnson, Carol Leopold, Alan Leopold, Pete Nelson, Pat Nelson, Donnie Benson, Barney Johnson, Bob Brod, Sue Ann Preuss, Barb Nofsinger, Sharon Halverson, Kathy Christensen, Gail Nastali, Jeanne Nastali, Dorothy Klipstein
Vacation Bible School will be an “udderly” great week-long event that this year we will transform our Grace Lutheran Church into a friendly farm. The dates this year are August 1st – 4th from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM we will have a meal at 5:30 PM for those that want to join us for fellowship. Each evening a meal will be served right at the start, followed by a variety of happenings such as moo-sic, fun, lesson, hog wild games, projects with purpose, and crafts. Parents can stay with the children and join in on the fun! We don’t want anyone to miss out! A Bible story will be shared to help your kids better understand farmin’ fun as they explore one simple Bible truth: Jesus will always love us! HayDay VBS is full of wide open spaces, playful animals, and rustic charm – guaranteed to be a place where we will have barrels of fun! If you have friends and/or neighbors you think would enjoy this program, bring them along! All are welcome!
Register today: https://vbsmate.com/GrowWithJesusinElroy
+ Together In Mission +
Parish Office: 226 Erickson Street, Elroy WI 53929 Parish E-mail: fgtlpadmin@centurytel.net Phone: (608)462-5398 Sunday Organist: Heather Vlasak Sunday Pianist: Bev Rood
Parish Secretary: Kris Stauffacher; Grace Custodian: Dave Clark
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